The University of Sharjah was established as a non-profit institution for higher education in October 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme President of the University to be the first university in the emirate of Sharjah. In less than 10 years, the University has achieved academic accreditation for most of its programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

The University is comprised of 14 colleges, which offer diverse academic programs of study at the diploma, bachelor’s and master’s levels. The student population at the University has currently reached 8000 with a faculty of 400, which means a faculty member for each 20 students.

The University is built upon an Islamic design and houses study halls, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, theatres, clubs, sports complex and other administrative facilities. There are also separate residential areas for male and female students and the faculty.

 The University has opened a complex for the Colleges of Medicine and Health Sciences, which includes the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, medical research laboratories, and a Medical Sciences library in addition to other facilities. Currently, a comprehensive medical teaching hospital is under construction to facilitate teaching in the fields of Medicine and Health Sciences. The University has been designed according to international specifications with an internal network server and international internet connections, offering the possibility of internet conferencing and seminars.